Moberly snaps Crowder’s 11-game winning streak

Perhaps the bad news delivered to the Crowder Lady ‘Riders basketball team on Tuesday night played a role in their performance on Wednesday.

Perhaps the bad news delivered to the Crowder Lady ‘Riders basketball team on Tuesday night played a role in their performance on Wednesday.

After receiving word that one of their leaders, sophomore point guard Sarah Sagely, would miss the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury on Saturday, the Lady ‘Riders went on the road and lost for just the fifth time all season and snapped an 11-game winning streak as they fell to Moberly Area Community College, 74-59.

The loss of Sagely, coupled with the absence of fellow sophomore Veronica Amos, who’s also been battling injuries, has admittedly had an affect on the team, says coach Tina Robbins. A good bit of news is that Amos should return by Saturday’s home game against Three Rivers.

“We’ve had people out at different points all season long for different things, and every time people have stepped up,” Robbins said. “That’s going to have to happen again. It’s hard on all of us, but we’ll have to fight through it.”

Robbins and her team were making no excuses for Wednesday’s performance, however.

“We didn’t play real well in the first half defensively,” Robbins said. “The second half was more indicative of our defensive effort.”Moberly led 50-28 at halftime.

Credit the Lady Greyhounds, who turned in a lights-out performance from the field as they shot 62-percent in the first half and 54-percent for the game. They also made 53-percent of their 3-point attempts (9-for-17), and shot 92-percent from the free throw line.

That’s tough to guard.

The Lady Greyhounds had five players score in double figures, as Marida Lewis led the team with 14 points, followed by Alexis Newbolt with 13, Kelsey Williams 12, and Shanebian Holden and Morgan Vetter with 11 apiece. Also scoring for Moberly was Angel Woods four, Akiela Rucker two, Alira Mihocic five and Brittany Rowell two.

Terai Sadler paced the Lady ‘Riders with 25 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Seleena Neal followed with nine points and two steals. Dorian Briggs and Caprese Marshall both had eight points. Camila Lacerda contributed six points, three assists and three steals. Megan Ritter had three points.

Crowder (24-5) will look to get back on track when they host Three Rivers in their home finale at 2 p.m. Saturday on Sophomore Day.